Right now, I am reading "Term Limits" by Vince
Flynn. As Chancellor, my reading of fiction
has slowed down, replaced by technical and
research reports on the University, higher
education and organizations and people who
have relationships with the University. Yet, I
end most evenings by reading a little before
ending the day.
Q: Your children are very successful. Heather
is working on a Ph.D. and Travis recently
earned his doctorate from Cornell University.
What is the secret of a successful family?
A: Sarah and I are very proud of our children
and are thankful for their success. We've
been fortunate that they have been great
people throughout their lives. Even during
the turbulent pre-teen and early teen years,
Heather and Travis were great. I don't know
what made them turn out so well, but suspect
it had to do with a couple of things. Both Sarah
and I are educators and modeled success
and an achievement orientation. Sarah and
I were always a part of their lives, but never
tried to push or pry. We supported them in
whatever they wanted to do and cheered
them on in every activity from little league
baseball, softball, soccer, science fairs, plays,
and volleyball. We always made a point to
be there for them, celebrated their success,
and supported them when they lost or didn't
perform well. I am very proud of the fact that
I never missed a single performance, match,
or game while Heather and Travis were in
high school. It took some juggling of my
schedule, but I was always able to manage.
Sarah and I continue to make family a priority
and make sure we are present during our
children's special celebrations. Last, and
probably most important, I attribute their
success to the foundation Sarah provided our
children before they went to school. When
Heather was born, Sarah took time out from
teaching elementary school to become a
stay-at-home mom. She provided a nurturing
and supportive environment for Heather and
Travis for their first five years--before going
to kindergarten. When I came home in the
evening, I would often find Sarah reading to
Heather and Travis and find freshly baked
cookies in the kitchen that the three of them
had baked during the day. I don't think you
can overestimate the importance of providing
a nurturing environment to children. We were
fortunate that Sarah could stay home. Other
working parents find other ways to create that
environment. The key is to make your children
a priority and support and nurture them.
Summer 2010
UNCP Today
9
the balance between growth and retention
perfectly clear.
"We need to stop talking about
retention and start talking about success,"
he said. "We are going to grow. We will
not grow under my watch just for the sake
of growth, but incremental, purposeful
growth."
He described his "style and
expectations." Dr. Carter outlined several
key principals of leadership, including the
"select don't settle" principles.
"Many times we settle for someone
rather than select the right person because
there is a fear of losing that position in the
budget," the chancellor-elect said. "You
will not lose a position if you can't find the
right person."
Then, there are "high expectations."
"I want to raise expectations for the
University and transfer that idea to our
students," he said.
The "Nike rule" followed. "Just do it,"
he said regarding decision making.
The chancellor-elect said his
administration will be characterized by
transparency.
"Transparency builds trust and
ultimately leads to better decisions, Dr.
Carter said. "I will build an environment
built on honesty and integrity."
PROVOST SEARCH
The search for a new provost will
be "open" and transparent, he said.
Chancellor Carter expects to have a new
provost by February 2011.
"Provost is a very important position
whose role is to advance the academic
mission of the University," he said.
"The provost is first among equals who
will support and collaborate with the
vice chancellors to promote the entire
institution."
A provost at UNCP should be visible,
embrace diversity and the University's
core values, work with alumni and
the foundation as well as serve as the
academic leader, Dr. Carter said.
"This person should be someone who
matches my style and works well with all
the vice chancellors," he said.
A broad-based search committee
will be formed by the start of the fall
semester. It will include faculty, staff
and community members. It will be an
"open search."
In conclusion, the chancellor said
"we will do this again."
Chancellor Carter speaks at town hall.